The goal of any good leader is to help those under him or her reach their full potential.
Just a few months into his new job, Erik Barbieri is doing exactly that.
Since taking in February, the Parks & Recreation director has brought a fresh eye to the sprawling department. From Longshore, Compo and other beaches to parks, programs and athletic fields, its work touches every Westporter.
Erik Barbieri, in his Parks & Rec office. (Photo/Dan Woog)
He’s also taken a close look at his staff, and how they’re deployed. With the recent retirements of 2 longtime, valued employees — deputy director Rick Giunta and customer services manager Barb Vornkahl — Barbieri saw a chance to move personnel to new positions.
And empower them to do more.
With several Parks & Rec projects as part of the town’s 10-year capital plan, Michael Giunta has been promoted from senior foreman to a new position: operations superintendent.
His role includes financial and administrative oversight, including revenue collection, reporting, insurance, bids and contracts.
Giunta will also coordinate with the town’s Finance, Human Resources and Public Works Department.
“He’s smart, and impressive,” Barbieri says.
Carmen Roda, the longtime operations manager, is the department’s new recreation superintendent. He’ll be in charge of aquatics, camps and programs.
Two recreation programmers — Max Robbins and Phoebe Koskinas — have been named program manager and program specialist, respectively. They’ll report to Roda.
Carmen Roda (Photo/Dan Woog)
Meanwhile, former administrative assistant Jamie Boone has been given more responsibility as office manager. She’ll take on a bit of Giunta and Vornkahl’s former responsibilities while overseeing all front office operations, like parking emblem sales and seasonal staff, along with social media, e-blasts, and the Memorial Day and Halloween parades.
One employee whose position won’t change is Nick Quatrano. Hired in May as parks superintendent, he’s made a “very impressive” mark already, Barbieri says.
“Everyone is on board,” the director says of his department. “There’s a lot of energy and buy-in. Everyone wants this department to be the best in the country. It’s my job to support them, and help them be successful.”
Barbieri notes that Giunta and Boone are Staples High School graduates, while Roda has served the town for many years, in both Parks & Rec and Westport PAL roles.
That continuity is important, Barbieri says.
So is rewarding them, and all employees, with new opportunities and challenges. He cites the support of 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, and town director of human resources Candice Holley with helping make the changes possible.
The Parks & Recreation Department “is in a great place,” Barbieri says. “We’re pushing to improve facilities and programs, and of course always listening to the public.”
He looks forward to the release of the final master plan, by the end of November.
Before then — tomorrow (Wednesday, October 8, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall) — there is a Board of Finance meeting.
Barbieri will make 3 requests. He’ll ask for $95,000 for architectural and engineering work on the Longshore golf course irrigation system, which is “failing, and getting worse every day.”
Also on tap: $104,420 for architectural and engineering work, and permitting, for bulkhead and seawall replacement at Longshore’s E.R. Strait Marina.
And there’s a need for $40,000, to make emergency repairs on the steps leading from the Westport Library to the Riverwalk.
As Barbieri discovered recently, that too falls under the Parks & Recreation purview.
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“ His role includes financial and administrative oversight, including revenue collection, reporting, insurance, bids and contracts.”
Why aren’t most of these responsibilities centralized in one organization for all town departments?
It’s great to see names like Giunta & Koskinas in the mix.
Whatever happened to the idea to separate Parks and Recreation into two separate departments?
Just wondering why women from Fairfield are allowed to play at Longshore and pay Westport resident rates?
If that is true, then it’s reciprocity, whereby Longshore women can play at Smith via Fairifeld resident rates.
I have previously sent e mails and made statements in support of what I sense is and will be a fine department run by Mr. Barbieri. Parks and open space are acknowledged by all to be crucial to our Town and its citizens. The involvement of First Selectwoman Tooker and the Parks & Recreation Commission have been major obstacles to previous Parks & Recreation Directors. First Selectwoman Tooker will be leaving office soon and, I expect the new Selectman will make major changes to the Parks & Recreation Commission, including as to the present Chair. That Commission and its Chair are all good people. They simply failed in many areas.
Why do we have 24 no parking signs on hillspoint rd between old mill and the beach. Obstructs the view of Long island sound. Who made this decision and why. I was told parks and recs department. Put it back the way its been for the last 70 years.
Carolyn I noticed that too fairly recently and wondered why on earth?? Nobody has ever tried parking there in the 61 years I’ve lived in Westport. We don’t need a one. Ridiculous over kill. Had been wondering who thought the plenitude imperative and implemented?
Bad enough signs popped up accross from Romanaccis last year. Somebody had clout as I also never saw anyone park there except for a 2 minute takeout grab and go which did not impede traffic in the least unless someone wanted to put Old mill Romanaccis out of business. Quick parking was available there the entire long run of Elvira’s with no issues.I will be contacting Parks and Rec as well and will report
back on this sheer insanity!